Roderick Max Crain |
Roderick Max "Rod" Crain
Rod Crain, 84, Crane Lake, passed away on Monday, October 10, 2011 at his residence. Roderick Max Crain, better known to most people as Rod, was born April 1, 1927 to Raymond and Caroline (Wilkes) Crain in Riceville, Iowa. Rod attended Riceville Schools, and was involved in sports, hunting and fishing at an early age.
Rod was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy aboard a floating dry dock as a carpenter's mate in the Pacific Theater. After his discharge from the Navy, Rod met and married Arlene Lucille North, from the nearby town of Osage, Iowa. They moved to the twin cities area, where they both attended schools to further their education, Rod went to Airframe and Power- plant Technical School, and Arlene to Hamlin School of Business. Upon graduation, Rod worked in the aircraft maintenance field for a short time for North Central Airlines, but did not care for the life in the big city, so they moved back to Northern Iowa, settling in Osage.
Rod worked in mechanical positions and auto body work for several years. He then took a job working at a lumber yard in Osage, where he worked his way into a managerial job. He had started flying lessons while in the twin cities. Having been on vacation in Crane Lake, Minnesota starting when he was just 14 years old, first with friends, and then with Arlene and family, he and Arlene decided to make the big move to the North Country where he loved to fish and hunt. Rod started Crain Construction in the summer of 1965 at Crane Lake. He was active in the business for nearly the rest of his life.
Rod and his two sons, who were also involved in flying, bought an airplane, the first, an Aeronca Champ on floats, skis and wheels, then several years later upgraded to a Cessna 172. Rod finished his private license while owning the Champ, and went on to fly to the age of 80. He loved to maintain the airplane as much as fly it. That airplane is still in the family.
Rod was active in the Crane Lake Chapel as a board member for several terms, was active in maintenance of the chapel, and a regular attendee. Rod was a charter member of the Crane Lake Volunteer Fire Department, active for more than 20 years, and a past fire chief for many of those years.
Rod loved to fish and hunt the beautiful woods and lakes around Crane Lake and Canada, which he used his airplane to fly into. He was known as a "can-do" kind of guy, and there was not much he couldn't fix, or know how to get fixed.
Rod and Arlene spent 15 winters after semi retirement in Florida, and another 6 years in the dryer climate of southern Texas, before a major stroke limited them to enjoying last winter in Crane Lake.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son-in-law, John Lee.
Rod is survived by Arlene, his loving wife of 64 years; a daughter; Terri Lee of Osage, Iowa; two sons, Michael (Ginny) Crain of Princeton, MN and Jerry (Jill) Crain of Crane Lake; nine grandchildren- Corinne (Dan) Walker, Michael (Melinda) Lee, Jerrett Crain, Jason (Geraldine) Crain, Brooke (Amie) Caines, Brandon (Kasie) Ziegler, Carlee (fiancé, Jake) Crain, Rebecca Crain and Kyle Crain; 11 great grandchildren; two sisters-in-laws, Doris and Dorothy North; along with numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, (October 13, 2011) at the Crane Lake Chapel. Pastor Roger Parrish-Siggelkow will be the officiant. Honorary bearers will be Rod's grandchildren. Military honors will be accorded by the combined Honor Guards of the Cook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1757 and Orr American Legion Post #480. Burial will be at the Forest Home Cemetery in Buyck. Arrangements are with the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook, MN.